Cutlery polished, a tasting session in progress, Maria had arranged delicate slices of strudel in a crisscross herringbone pattern on the long rectangular plate. Elsa and Max admired her presentation. Apple, cherry, chestnut, forest fruits, poppyseed and walnut. Max would bet that Maria had come up with a couple of combinations to make sure there was something for everyone. Behind that disastrous haircut lay a shrewd mind. Max admired that. More importantly, her fascination with Elsa was verging on unsubtle and Elsa seemed inclined to encourage it. Max thoroughly approved. Elsa needed a distraction from the loneliness creeping up, twisting like ivy around her heart. She needed a new interest to spark her back to vivaciousness.
'How can I possibly choose!'
Elsa looked up at the hovering woman in delight. 'Perhaps you could pick a strudel of the day as the special. They are all so good, I fear for my waistline.'
Max laughed heartily and munched on a kipferl for good measure. The strudels were spectacular. The strudel pastry was flaky and delicate, the fillings bursting with flavour.
'It's a good thing you're a morning person, I can't imagine how long it would take you to cook and bake all of this up every day.'
'I love the dawn, it feels like hope beckoning before my eyes and bursting into flame every morning' Maria enthused.
Max flashed a teasing smile at Elsa.
'You can't boast of anything so pure at the hour of dawn, Elsa.'
'Oh shush' she flapped a hand at him good heartedly. 'He means my dinner parties' she explained to Maria. 'If a party doesn't go on until the early hours of the morning, is it really a party?'
'Oh, I…don't know' said Maria hesitantly. She had never been invited to parties like that. The other two stifled their smirk. Trying to imagine the wholesome Maria at one of the Baroness's decadently refined dinner parties was somewhat amusing. What would she wear? Would she drink champagne? How giggly would she be after a glass? Elsa found the idea appealing. Maria would look so pretty in pale blue chiffon. Elsa didn't know where that thought had come from but she recognised it as a good sign. She was starting to feel rejuvenated with plans of her next party, a welcome distraction from the listless mood she'd been in lately.
'I wonder if you would be interested in catering for my next event?' She found herself asking.
'Oh! That would be wonderful. Frau Schmidt would be so pleased.'
'I only require that you prepare everything in the kitchen and then come and join us. As guests.'
Maria stared at her. Panic enveloped her.
'Guests! Oh no. 'I…I…don't have anything to wear.'
Elsa guessed that Frau Schmidt would find the suggestion improper.
'I'm sure I have something to lend you. I'd like you both there.'
'I couldn't wear something so sophisticated as anything you wear, Baroness.'
'It won't be difficult to find something simple to suit you. Please do consider it. At any rate, I want you to oblige my soiree with your finest baking. I insist on that at least.'
Max saw his best friend flash her most charming smile, watched interestedly as the object of her affection practically melted on the spot. It looked like neither woman was intent on resisting each other. This could get interesting.
